160 Little Byron 



When this intelligence came to Mrs. Merton's 

 ears, she called the servant. 



' James,' she said, c I want you to take Byron 

 out for exercise ; and while you are gone, lose him. 

 Do you understand ? ' 



' I do, ma'am, and I '11 do it,' said the faithfully 

 brutal servant. 



The night was the .middle of December, clear 

 and cold. The servant and Byron came down Fifth 

 Avenue until they reached Madison Square. James 

 crossed the square, walking briskly, and Byron am- 

 bled along as fast as his weakened strength and 

 partially blinded eyes would permit. He saw James 

 just ahead of him, and heard the sound of his feet 

 on the stone walk. Suddenly the sound ceased. He 

 looked around him : he was alone. Slowly he 

 realized his new situation : he was lost and homeless. 

 His had been a wretched home, but it was his only 

 one ; and he felt the anguish of despair. 



There is nothing in nature or in life more forlorn 

 and pitiable than a lost dog. Men have their pride 

 and consciousness of manhood to lean upon ; but 



